Condition Lookup

Crush injuries

Specialty: Orthopedics and Rheumatology

Symptoms:
severe pain at the injury site; swelling and bruising; loss of function in the affected limb; numbness or tingling (suggesting nerve involvement); possible shock if the injury is severe; visible deformity

Root Cause:
Damage to tissues, bones, and organs due to prolonged or severe compression, often causing ischemia (reduced blood flow) and cellular damage. This can involve bones, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination of the site. Imaging studies (X-ray or CT scan) to check for fractures or soft tissue damage. Blood tests to check for signs of muscle injury or kidney involvement (e.g., creatine kinase levels, myoglobin in urine). Ultrasound for soft tissue damage evaluation/

Treatment:
Initial stabilization, including pain management, wound care, and immobilization. Surgical debridement to remove damaged tissue. Possible fasciotomy if compartment syndrome is suspected. Rehabilitation to restore function after healing.

Medications:
Analgesics (e.g., acetaminophen , NSAIDs) to manage pain. Opioids (e.g., morphine ) for acute, severe pain. Diuretics (e.g., furosemide ) in cases where there is kidney involvement to reduce the risk of renal failure due to myoglobin release. Antibiotics (e.g., vancomycin ) if there’s a risk of infection

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Crush injuries are commonly seen in industrial accidents, motor vehicle collisions, natural disasters (earthquakes), and building collapses.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Occupational hazards (e.g., construction or mining accidents). Vehicle accidents. Natural disasters or accidents (e.g., earthquakes). Alcohol or drug use leading to impaired mobility or judgment.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis depends on the severity of the injury, the amount of tissue involved, and how quickly treatment is administered. If significant muscle or organ damage occurs, long-term complications like renal failure, infection, and permanent disability can arise.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Compartment syndrome. Renal failure due to rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown leading to myoglobin release). Infection (sepsis). Long-term limb dysfunction or amputation. Chronic pain.

Compound trauma (e.g., multiple fractures)

Specialty: Orthopedics and Rheumatology

Category: Soft Tissue Disorders

Sub-category: Trauma and Injury

Symptoms:
pain at the site of injury; swelling; bruising; deformity (misalignment of bones); loss of function or movement in the affected area; bleeding, if skin is broken

Root Cause:
Multiple fractures resulting from significant trauma that disrupts the continuity of bones and possibly the surrounding soft tissues, leading to open fractures where the bone protrudes through the skin.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination of the injured area. X-rays or CT scans to assess the number and severity of fractures. MRI for soft tissue damage evaluation.

Treatment:
Immediate first aid (e.g., immobilization, elevation, and cold compress). Surgical intervention to realign and stabilize bones (open reduction and internal fixation, or ORIF). Splints or casts to immobilize the fractures. Physical therapy post-healing for rehabilitation.

Medications:
Analgesics like acetaminophen (non-opioid pain relief) and ibuprofen (NSAID) to reduce pain and inflammation. Opioid painkillers (e.g., oxycodone , morphine ) may be prescribed for severe pain in the initial stages of recovery. Antibiotics (e.g., cephalexin , clindamycin ) if there is a risk of infection from open fractures. Muscle relaxants (e.g., cyclobenzaprine ) for muscle spasms during recovery.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Compound trauma with multiple fractures is relatively rare but is often seen in high-energy trauma scenarios such as motor vehicle accidents, falls, or industrial accidents.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High-energy trauma (e.g., car accidents, falls from height). Age (elderly individuals may have brittle bones, while children may be more prone to fractures). Osteoporosis or bone disorders. Substance use (e.g., alcohol or drugs affecting coordination).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With proper treatment, most fractures heal within a few months. However, compound fractures may lead to complications such as infection or improper healing, affecting function. Severe cases may result in long-term disability.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Infection (e.g., osteomyelitis). Non-union or malunion of fractures. Nerve or vascular damage. Compartment syndrome (a serious condition that occurs when pressure builds up within a muscle compartment). Post-traumatic arthritis. Chronic pain or functional impairment.

Amputations and prosthetic care

Specialty: Orthopedics and Rheumatology

Category: Soft Tissue Disorders

Sub-category: Trauma and Injury

Symptoms:
phantom limb sensation or pain (feeling that the amputated limb is still there); pain at the site of amputation; limited mobility or function without prosthetics; swelling or discomfort in the residual limb

Root Cause:
Loss of a limb due to trauma, disease, or surgery. Amputation leads to the need for prosthetic care to restore function and appearance.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation and medical history to determine the cause of amputation (e.g., trauma, disease, or congenital defect). Imaging (X-ray or CT) to assess the stump for complications. Functional assessments to determine the best type of prosthetic.

Treatment:
Surgical removal of the limb, followed by rehabilitation. Prosthetic fitting (e.g., artificial limbs for mobility or hand prostheses). Physical therapy for strengthening and improving the use of the prosthetic.

Medications:
Pain management with analgesics such as acetaminophen or NSAIDs. Opioids (e.g., oxycodone ) for post-surgical or post-trauma pain. Antidepressants or antianxiety medications (e.g., sertraline , fluoxetine ) to address emotional and psychological issues following amputation. Medications to manage phantom limb pain (e.g., gabapentin or pregabalin , which are anticonvulsants used off-label for nerve pain).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Amputation is relatively uncommon, though more frequent in individuals with severe trauma, vascular disease (e.g., diabetes), and cancer.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Trauma (e.g., motor vehicle accidents, industrial accidents). Vascular diseases (e.g., peripheral artery disease, diabetes). Infections (e.g., untreated diabetic foot ulcers or severe burns). Cancer (e.g., sarcoma or bone cancer).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With appropriate treatment and rehabilitation, individuals can regain significant functionality and adapt to prosthetics. However, the psychological impact of amputation can be profound and may require counseling or support.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Phantom limb pain or sensation. Infection at the amputation site. Stump ulcerations or skin breakdown. Prosthetic-related issues (e.g., discomfort, fit problems, or mechanical failure). Psychological effects (e.g., depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder).

Nasal fractures

Specialty: Nose and Throat

Category: Nasal Conditions

Sub-category: Trauma and Injury

Symptoms:
pain and swelling over the nose; bruising around the eyes; difficulty breathing through the nose; deformity or misalignment of the nose; nosebleeds (epistaxis); tenderness when touching the nose

Root Cause:
Trauma or injury to the nose, resulting in broken nasal bones.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, assessment of symptoms, and X-rays or CT scans for complex fractures.

Treatment:
Non-surgical treatment (for minor fractures) may include rest, ice application, and pain relief. Surgical intervention (closed reduction or open surgery) may be required for more severe fractures or when breathing problems persist.

Medications:
Analgesics like acetaminophen or ibuprofen are commonly prescribed to relieve pain. In cases of infection, antibiotics such as amoxicillin or cephalexin may be prescribed. Painkillers like opioids (e.g., hydrocodone ) may be prescribed for severe pain, but their use is typically short-term.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Nasal fractures are one of the most common types of facial fractures, especially in adolescents and young adults. The prevalence is higher in males due to activities such as sports and fights.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High-risk activities (e.g., contact sports, physical altercations), male gender, prior nasal injury, and insufficient protective equipment during sports.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Most nasal fractures heal with proper treatment, but some may result in persistent deformity or breathing difficulties if not treated properly.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic nasal congestion, permanent deformity, septal perforation, or a nasal obstruction requiring long-term surgical management.

Septal hematoma

Specialty: Nose and Throat

Category: Nasal Conditions

Sub-category: Trauma and Injury

Symptoms:
pain in the nose; nasal obstruction or difficulty breathing through the nose; swelling or a bulging area on the nasal septum; nosebleeds

Root Cause:
Blood accumulation between the cartilage and mucosa of the nasal septum, typically due to trauma.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination reveals swelling or a fluctuant mass on the septum, confirmed with nasal endoscopy or a CT scan.

Treatment:
Incision and drainage to evacuate the blood. The septum is often packed with gauze or a nasal splint to prevent re-accumulation of blood.

Medications:
Analgesics like acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be prescribed for pain. If there's a risk of infection, antibiotics such as amoxicillin-clavulanate or ceftriaxone may be prescribed.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Septal hematomas occur in 5–10% of nasal trauma cases, often in younger individuals.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Trauma to the nose, including sports injuries, physical fights, and car accidents.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With early treatment, the prognosis is generally good. However, if untreated, it can lead to complications like a saddle nose deformity or septal abscess.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Permanent deformity (e.g., saddle nose), infection, abscess, or septal perforation if not treated properly.